Source: Team_Talk
Bent central to Capello's plans
England coach Fabio Capello expects Sunderland striker Darren Bent to be a pivotal figure for the Three Lions in the future.[LNB] Bent was overlooked for the World Cup, despite his 24 goals leaving him second only to Wayne Rooney amongst English-born players in the Premier League last season.[LNB]Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has never had any reservations about the 26-year-old's quality, yet it seemed Capello was not listening to frequent calls from the Stadium of Light for Bent to be given his chance.[LNB]The striker was selected for the friendly against Brazil in Doha last November but failed to shine in an injury-hit team and an equally disappointing display against Japan in May meant he spent the summer on holiday in the United States rather than terrorising defenders in South Africa.[LNB]However, ahead of his squad announcement for next Tuesday's Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro at Wembley, Capello has confirmed Bent - who has already scored eight times this season, including one for England against Switzerland last month when he collected his seventh cap - is now a key part of his plans.[LNB]"Bent is back," Capello told www.thefa.com. "In front of goal, he is really dangerous.[LNB]"He played 20 minutes against Switzerland and scored an important goal. Now he is training really well.[LNB]"He is probably one of the important players for the future."[LNB]Bent is likely to start alongside Wayne Rooney next week now that Jermain Defoe has been ruled out with an ankle injury.[LNB]Certainly there does not appear an obvious like-for-like replacement for Defoe as Michael Owen's three goals for Manchester United have not been enough to convince Capello to give England's fourth highest goalscorer a chance.[LNB]What seems certain is that once again, Manchester City will provide a significant percentage of Capello's squad.[LNB]The Blues had six players on the field at the end of that impressive win in Basle last month - including Adam Johnson, who scored as a substitute against both Bulgaria and Switzerland and seems certain to start as Theo Walcott's replacement.[LNB]"National teams that won titles, the World Cup and the Euros, had something like this," he said.[LNB]"Spain had players from three teams; seven from Barcelona, three from Real Madrid and one from Villarreal.[LNB]"Also, when Italy won the World Cup they had a lot of players from Juventus[LNB]"It is really important to have this group because they train every day together, they play together regularly in matches. They know everything better.[LNB]"It is easier to find each other when you play together for the national team. You hope to find the same spirit and mentality in your own team."
